This week's tip

There are some new dates for crochet classes at Loop starting with three 2 hour sessions on Sundays, 30th September, 7th October and 14th October 1.30 - 3.30pm Beginners. Another set of Beginner's classes are set for Saturday 10th November, 17th November and the Sunday 25th November 1.30 - 3.30pm. The final one might be of more interest to all you crocheters as it's an Improvers' class and will be in a different format to previous Improvers'. This class is scheduled for Saturday 1st December 12 noon to 5pm. For full info please visit Loop's website at http://www.loop.gb.com/classes/index.html. Hope to see some of you then.

Doilies

As promised - a doily pattern to whet your interest in these wonderful retro items. I have many more patterns which I'll post in the following months. Let me know your ideas and suggestions. As you can see, it's still a work in progress.

I used ggh Mystic with a 3.5 mm hook. The yarn is inclined to 'break' but has a lovely sheen to it, which I think adds to its qualities. Of course, it's available from lovely Loop (see link). The pattern is one from 1971 in a Coats publication called Dining with Crochet.

Place Mat

Abbreviations

ch - chain

ss - slip stitch

sp - space

dc - double crochet

htr - half treble

tr - treble

dlb tr - double treble

yo - yarn over

Ch 6 and join with ss to form ring.

1st row; 2 ch, 11 htr into ring. 1 ss into 2nd of 2 ch.

2nd row: 5 ch, *1 tr into next htr, 2 ch; repeat from * ending 1 ss into 3rd of 5 ch.

3rd row: 1 ss into first sp, 4 ch, 3 dbl tr into same sp, *4 ch, 1 dc into next sp, 4 ch, 4 dbl tr into next sp; repeat from *omitting 4 dbl tr at end of last repeat, 1 ss into 4th of 4 ch.

4th row: 1 dc into same place as ss, 1 dc into each of next 3 dbl tr, *(3 dc into next sp) twice, 1 dc into each of next 4 dbl tr; repeat from *omitting 4 dc at end of last repeat, 1 ss into first dc.

5th row: 3 ch, leaving the last loop of each on hook work 1 tr into each of next 3 dc, yo and draw through all loops on hook (a 3 tr cluster made over 3 sts), *7 ch, miss 2 dc, a 2 tr cluster over next 2 dc, 7 ch, miss 2 dc, a 4 tr cluster over 4 dc: repeat from * omitting a 4 tr cluster at end of last repeat, 1 ss into first cluster.

6th row: Inot each loop work 4 dc, 4 ch and 4 dc, 1 ss into first dc.

7th row: 1 ss into each of next 3 dc and into next loop, 11 ch, *1 htr into next loop, 9 ch; repeat from * ending with 1 ss into 2nd of 11 ch.

8th row: 1 dc into same place as ss, * 11 dc into next loop, 1 dc into next htr; repeat from * omitting 1 dc at end of last repeat, 1 ss into first dc.

9th row: 4 ch, miss 1 dc, * 1 tr into next dc, 1 ch, miss 1 dc; repeat from * ending with 1 ss into 3rd of 4 ch.

10th row: * 2 dc into each of next 3 sps, 1 dc into next tr, 2 dc into each of next 3 sps, 4 ch; repeat from * ending with 1 ss into first dc.

11th row: 1 ss into each of next 6 dc, 7 ch, * 6 dbl tr into next loop, 5 ch, miss 6 dc, 1 htr into next dc, 5 ch; repeat from * omitting 1 htr and 5 ch at end of last repeat, 1 ss into 2nd of 7 ch.

12th row: 5 dc into next sp, * 1 dc into each of next 6 dbl tr, 5 dc into each of next 2 sps; repeat from * omitting 5 dc at end of last repeat, 1 ss into first dc.

13th row: 1 ss into each of first 5 sts then work as follows: 4 ch, a 5 dbl tr cluster over next 5 dc, * 8 ch, miss 4 dc, a 2 tr cluster over next 2 dc, 8 ch, miss 4 dc, a 6 dbl tr cluster over next 6 dc; repeat from * omitting 6 dbl tr cluster at end of last repeat, 1 ss into first cluster.

14th row: *Into next loop work 4 dc, 4 ch and 4 dc, into next cluster work 1 dc, 4 ch and 1 dc, into next loop work 4 dc, 4 ch and 4 dc; repeat from * ending with 1 ss into first dc.

Fasten off

Travelling abroad

Just read about what happens to some unwary bachelors in Prague. A company is offering weekends away for the lads with accomodation and 'crochet' classes!!! That's nice. Only thing is, the classes are taught by scantily clad women. I've a feeling that 'crochet' might not be what we understand it to be. Watch out, everyone!!